In addition to the NYX products, I also applied a touch of Victoria’s Secret’s Beauty RushWet/Dry Shadow in Gold Rush on the center of my eyelid for an eye brightening effect as well as the darkest, almost black eyeshadow from my BH Cosmetics 88 Neutral Palette in my crease (well, technically I don’t have a crease–instead, the area of where a crease would be, almost where you can feel the eye socket) and outer corner for extra smokiness. I followed up with my Revlon Colorstay Liquid Eye Pen in Blackened Brown on my upper lash line, Styli-Style Line & Style 24 Twist Eyeliner in Black Brown on my inner rim/water line, Shiseido Nourishing Mascara Base, and Maybelline Define-a-Lash Volume Waterproof Mascara in Black on both my upper and lower lashes (after curling them first!). If you have questions on any of the other products I’m wearing with today’s close-up, feel free to leave me comment!

The final word on repurchasing NYX Eyeshadow Base in #ESB03 Skin Tone:

Just so you know, I don’t use eyeshadow primer ever because I’ve never had any problems with creasing or my eyeshadow wearing off too quickly, so my opinion may not be the best to rely on if you do have issues with creasing or lasting eye makeup issues. I am not even going to offer pros or cons on this product, instead I will just give you my observations.

This primer seemed to do the job I believe eyeshadow primers in general are meant to do. I had no problems with my eyeshadows wearing off as the day went on and the colors stayed true to how they appeared in their pans.

The flesh tone left a neutral base for your shadows which I think would be especially beneficial to those who have discolored or vein-y eyelids. NYX also has a pearl and white toned base as well.

Very budget friendly price (I think around $6)!

Yes, I will repurchase if I decide that eyeshadow primer is an essential to my makeup routine. I do recommend those of you who use eyeshadow primer on a regular basis to try the NYX eyeshadow base if you’re looking for a cheaper alternative to the cult classic Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion which I know is much pricier.

If you are a beauty blog or vlog regular, you have probably heard from many others about the various makeup palettes that BH Cosmetics and Coastal Scents have to offer. Well, I needed to find out for myself what all the hype was about and check out if these palettes were as fantastic (or not so much) like other makeup junkies have stated on their blogs or YouTube videos. I placed both of my orders last Monday and received my BH Cosmetics package on Friday and then received my Coastal Scents package on the following Saturday, so both were pretty timely with their shipments which is always a good thing.

Here’s the loot that I received from BH Cosmetics:

I purchased the 10 Piece Professional Blush Palette ($16.95) and the 88 Color Neutral Eyeshadow Palette ($24.95). My first impression of these two palettes were AMAZING, WOW, and WHAT A SMOKIN’ DEAL!! Most all of the blush colors seem wearable and there are several of them that are absolutely gorgeous! The eyeshadow palette had a good selection of natural, everyday wearable, work appropriate colors in both mattes and shimmers, but there seemed to be quite a few shades repeating in the palette and/or were very similar to one another! Overall, I still thought the eyeshadow palette was pretty awesome because of the value!

Here’s the loot that I received from Coastal Scents:

(BH Cosmetics also used bubble wrap to protect their palettes, as well as placing their palettes into boxes like the ones above from Coastal Scents, but with the BH Cosmetics logo of course–I just forgot to take the photos of the BH palettes because I was so excited to open them up!)

I purchased the 88 Ultra Shimmer Eyeshadow Palette, the 88 Color Eyeshadow Palette, the 88 Metal Mania Palette, and the 88 Warm Palette (all four palettes were sold as Combo Set 5 for $69.95 which saves you around $20 if you were to purchase each palette separately). Again, I was very pleased with my first look at all four of these palettes! A wonderful variety of colors in various matte, satin, shimmer, and metallic finishes are found in these four palettes and should be able to satisfy most beauty addicts!

I was especially curious about the 88 Warm Palette from Coastal Scents compared to the 88 Neutral Palette that I received from BH Cosmetics. I had researched both Coastal Scents and BH Cosmetics online and many people were stating that all of the palettes actually come from the same manufacturer in China and therefore, I was assuming that these two palettes would be identical since they look very much alike. Once I had both of the palettes side by side, I did notice differences in the shades offered, but this could be attributed to the fact that maybe the eyeshadow pans are placed in different groupings/order? Take a look for yourself one more time and you can be the judge:

BH Cosmetics 88 Neutral Palette is on the left and Coastal Scents 88 Warm Palette is on the right.

Since I’ve only had these palettes for just a weekend, I’m going to continue playing with them for a while before writing a full review and providing photos of swatches, so stay tuned for more! (However, I’m already convinced that they are going to be a hit with me–I just love makeup in general!)

For those of you who can’t wait to get some of these palettes for yourself, check out:

Don’t tell my husband (actually he’ll eventually find out since he likes to check up on my blogging!), but I picked up a few items that I’m running low on and wanted to “research” to put onto my blog! I tell my husband as a good beauty blogger, I must stay current with all the new beauty products and trends that are coming out almost all the time. My readers deserve to have a well-informed self-proclaimed beauty expert who is up-to-date with the greatest and latest that the beauty and fashion world has to offer. Hopefully I can convince him to believe this because it’s true, for the most part–haha!

Now let’s get to the good stuff! Here’s all my loot from my most recent loot-y call:

Don’t worry, I plan on posting reviews on products as I try them out! I’m excited with everything I picked up and hopefully you are too!

Do you own anything my loot-y call list? If so, can you comment on any of the products? What’s the most you spent in one day doing a loot-y call of your own? Please share your beauty wisdom with everyone! Looking forward to hearing from you soon!

Since starting this blog, I realize the need to provide my readers with perhaps some more adventurous, fun, and interesting makeup looks, in addition to my everyday, mostly neutral faces. Using my Sephora Blockbuster Palette (see my post on this palette for more information!) I decided to branch out and try out some of the shades that I have never worn before in my life. When moving away from my basic taupes, grays, and browns, I tend to like using shades of navy and plum for a nice change of pace. Today’s close-up will feature shades that remind me of the bluish-green/turquoise/teal iridescence I would imagine a mermaid’s tail to have when jumping out of the water and into the sun. (Does this description make me sound like I’m totally into mermaids or something? I’m not!)

Here’s today’s close-up:

I’m providing multiple shots because I’m not too camera savvy about the proper lighting needed for the most realistic colors. Will be working on my picture taking skills 🙂

For my basic, everyday makeup wardrobe I tend to stick to very similar colors and variations of such shades which most of the general public would not be able to tell the difference. But of course, myself being a makeup aficionado and others like me, can assure you that we possess a special ability to discern between multiple shades that might be considered by others to be the exact same color. Since I tend to wear mostly neutral taupes, grays, and browns on my eyes, pinky-peaches on my cheeks, and various versions of nude on my lips, it is quite rare for me to invest in other colors out of my comfort zone. I find the best way to purchase a variety of other colors, especially when I do not plan on wearing them often, is through makeup palettes which often times are at a value price versus paying for each individual shade. One such palette that I like to use when I am going out, feeling daring or fun, needing a pick me-up, or doing makeup for others is my Sephora Blockbuster Palette (the original 1st edition which I believe cost me $40?) which contains a wonderful variety of bright colorful shades, in addition to some of my more familiar neutrals.

As you can see this palette houses 64 eyeshadows, 8 blushes (one that is similar to a highlighting powder), 22 lip colors (some glosses, some fuller coverage lipsticks, and a couple glittery balms), and some cheap-o brushes and applicators. The variety of eyeshadow colors range from pinks, lavenders, purples, grays, pearls, creams, golds, russets, browns, taupes, greens, teals, blues, and I’m sure there’s still other color families I’m not including as well. Lip colors range from plums, mauves, roses, pinks, reds, russets, nudes, golds, corals, browns, tans, and glittery balms in silver and clear (who I have no idea would use unless they perhaps work in a Vegas show?!?!). The blushes in this palette are all very pretty and wearable; shades of pinks, peaches, corals, roses, light reds, plums, and a very pale pink highlighting powder are included. I do have to note that all of the blushes in this palette do contain shimmer, some more than others.

With all of the shades that are provided in this palette, there are an endless amount of looks that one can create. The ~$40 I paid was an absolute steal for all of the product that you are getting! The eyeshadows seem decently pigmented, but not quite as much color payoff than other makeup lines such as MAC or Shu Umera or other artistry lines. I don’t mind having less pigment in the eyeshadows because wearing the bright colors sometimes makes me feel like a clown or something, so the softness and sheerness is appreciated by me. However, the blushes are definitely more pigmented than the eyeshadows and a light dusting with my blush brush gives me beautiful color on my cheeks! The lip colors are my least favorite part of the palette because I just have too many other lip products that I like much better. Although one way that I do enjoy using the lip colors is to blend them with other shades (either from the palette or other lip products I have) and create my very own, unique lip color!

It will take me forever to use up this palette, but I do encourage other makeup enthusiasts to invest in a palette like this if you are wanting to be more creative with your looks, like to experiment, and have lots of options! Sephora has since come out with many versions of this palette, some smaller or larger in size. Many makeup lines also make palettes that are similar.

As a side note, I have recently purchased some palettes from Coastal Scents and BH Cosmetics. I’m very excited to see what all the hype is about that I’ve read on various beauty blogs and on YouTube about these two palettes, but am wondering for those of you who already own palettes from either one or both of these companies, what are the eyeshadows and blushes color payoff/pigmentation like? I’ve seen some who rave about the quality being similar to that of MAC’s and others who say they are chalky and definitely require eyeshadow primer to really show off the colors? Please share your experiences with the palettes from Coastal Scents and BH Cosmetics! I will be posting reviews of both once I receive my palettes, so stay tuned!

Do you own any makeup palettes? If so, which ones? Why do you like makeup palettes? Is there a makeup palette that you are dying to have? Feedback is greatly appreciated!

How long is too long to do your makeup? Some might say five minutes and others might say an hour plus. Well, on average my everyday makeup look that I would, for example wear to work (I’m a fifth grade teacher!) takes approximately twenty minutes or so and provides me with a polished, professional, and presentable look that I’m very satisfied with. I realize that not everyone enjoys the process of “putting on their face” as much as I do and would think twenty minutes is way too long for just putting on makeup, so I wanted to share with you a close-up of a FIVE MINUTE makeup look that I sometimes use when I’m either in a rush, just running errands, or simply being lazy (which in the summertime when I’m not teaching is almost everyday-haha!). Even though many of you may think this five minute makeup look would be great as my everyday look and I thank you for the compliments, but I know that I feel a bit more confident about how I look when I have an extra fifteen minutes to “work” on my face 🙂

When you only have five minutes to “put on your face,” what are your must have beauty products? How long does your everyday makeup look take you to complete and what products are you using for that look? Share your thoughts! Feedback is much appreciated! Remember, although I claim to be “The Word On Beauty,” I’m definitely not the “final” word on beauty so please don’t be shy and contribute 🙂

As a former makeup artist for Bobbi Brown cosmetics, I have always cherished every opportunity given to me where I can transform a woman into looking and feeling her best just because I was able to enhance her natural beauty with a touch of strategically selected makeup products, shades, and placement of such on her face. The wonderful privilege of doing a woman’s bridal makeup for one of her most memorable and significant days in her life, and when the bride is an actual friend makes the whole makeup artistry process even more meaningful and special to me! I was honored to be a part of my friend Lisa’s wedding this past weekend by being asked to do her bridal makeup as well as her bridesmaids!

Here are my gorgeous friends:

From left to right are Brynne, Heather, Lisa (the bride-to-be!), Gina, Leslie, and Nicole.

Soon-to-be brides should check out Lisa’s close-up to get ideas and suggestions for their upcoming wedding day. This bridal look is a simple, natural, but radiant makeup application that shows off the bride’s true beauty instead of masking it behind a ton of unnecessary colors and products on her face. In addition to being a perfect bridal look, this close-up would be fantastic for anyone interested in a feminine, soft, and warm color palette for everyday!

Here is Lisa’s close-up-

On Lisa’s face:

Alima Pure Satin Matte Foundation in a 50-50 Blend of Warm 3 & Golden 4 used with a bareMinerals Maximum Coverage Concealer Brush underneath her eyes and around her nose, mouth, and on very small areas of redness on her cheeks

Here are Lisa’s beautiful bridesmaids and although, I will not provide a breakdown of each bridesmaids’ close-ups, feel free to leave me a comment or contact me at thewordonbeauty@gmail.com for additional information on any of the specific looks shown below–

Thank you Lisa for letting me be a part of your special day! You were an absolutely breathtaking bride and Jerry is one lucky guy! Congrats Lisa and Jerry!

~Amy, The Word On Beauty

Describe your ultimate bridal makeup look. Do’s and Don’ts for brides-to-be? Which waterproof mascara formula holds up the best during all of the tears of joy that are usually shed at weddings? Anyone have a bridal makeup crisis like having too much SPF in your foundation so that you end up looking like a washed out ghost in all of your wedding photos while the rest of your body has been spray tanned a beautiful I’m-going-to-Hawaii-for-my-honeymoon-bronze? Share your comments, ideas, thoughts, and questions!

For those of you needing fresh ideas on makeup looks or you’re just curious about what I’m wearing on my face, here is today’s close-up:

I’m playing on my sister, Joyce’s new Mac Book Pro and using her Photo Book application as well as a traditional digital camera to take photos of my close-up. The colors are coming out differently, but I thought it would be interesting for you to see the differences.

On my face:

Laura Mercier Mineral Powder SPF 15 in a 50-50 blend of Rich Vanilla and Pure Honey all over the face as my foundation

Benefit Creaseless Cream Shadow/Liner in Birthday Suit all over the eyelid as a base

Maybelline Cool Effect CoolingShadow/Liner in On the Rocks #37 applied from the top lashline to the middle of my eyelid where my crease would be and also lined underneath on the lower lashline, smudged with my fingers on the eyelid as well for a smokier look

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About The Word On Beauty

You don't have to be ashamed of your beauty product and fashion obsessions, instead embrace it like I have and subscribe to my blog! A hundred lipsticks in various shades of the same color, a new gotta have VIX bikini in the middle of winter and you live in the Pacific NW, or the lack of self-control when it comes to skipping a visit to Sephora or Ulta when the opportunity arises--does this sound like you? If so, FABULOUS! Subscribe to this blog and satisfy your beauty and fashion cravings :-)